RX-V2600 Review/Preamp Spec's

[gcmarshall]

I read the RX-V2600 review wherein it was indicated that the "preamp section of the Yamaha RX-V2600 was able to drive over 4V RMS." This compared to the RX-V2500's (my receiver) inability to even reach 2V RMS, per the review.

The B&K preamp I have looked at says it can do 8V RMS.

First, what does all this mean to me? What do these measurements mean? I am using my RX-V2500 as my preamp, mainly b/c the previous RX-V2500 review indicated that the 2500 would make a great preamp.

Second, am I going to notice a notable improvement if I were to use a dedicated preamp as opposed to my 2500? Or, is that splitting hairs? Would, for example, a B&K preamp used with my B&K amp provide notably better performance than using my 2500 as the preamp? The previous 2500 review made it sound like the 2500 had a superb preamp section.

 

[Audioholics]

Some amplifiers we've tested require 2V input in order to achieve full power. This was really the main issue with that spec.

 

[gcmarshall]

Thanks Clint.

I guess the direct way for me to ask it is....does my RX-V2500 match up well with the B&K 200.2 S2 amp in terms of that spec? To my ears it sounds like an OK pairing. But, if I am not getting all I can get out of the setup (ie, if a different preamp would give me notable improvement), I'd like to know that as well. I wonder if the B&K preamp being able to do 8 V RMS is an indication that their related amp (the 200 series, for example) will perform better at that level of input?? I really just don't know how to decipher all these specs in laymans terms.

The B&K amp I own is the 200.2 S2 (linked here, but the web page appears to be down temporarily.....http://www.bkcomp.com/ref200.asp)

 

[gcmarshall]

OK, so i looked at the B&K reference 200.2 S2 amp manual. assuming i am looking at the correct spec, it says "input sensitivty" for RCA unbalanced is 1.4v. so, if my yamaha rxv2500 puts out under 2 v RMS, does that indicate that this, at least on paper, is an OK pairing of preamp (the 2500) with the amp (200.2)? i am just trying to figure out if the 2500 is a good match for this amp. as i said, sonically it sounds OK. but, just curious if i am potentially missing out on notable upside improvement due to the preamp in the 2500?